Monday, December 27, 2010

I happened to see the Rachel Ray Show about a week ago...it's not something I normally watch. In fact I usually don't have the TV on when it comes on.

However, I stopped and watched the segment with Ms. Jenner on because I couldn't get over her shoes! They were definitely something to see! They were pure bright white heels with heavy gold chains on them!

I remember thinking what "old lady" would wear those ugly things? Well, I guess if you belong to the Kardashian clan and in the "biz" you'd wear them. As for me...I'm staying a little more classic.

My question for you is: would you...could you wear white shoes like hers? How about black tights with white shoes, would you rock this style that pops up every couple of years or so?

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Get ready! It’s time for after-Christmas shopping! Retailers definitely need to seriously move merchandise! Right now, the sales are tremendous with slashed prices already at 75% off at some stores!

Retailers are now stocking the selves with resort wear and early spring shipments these next couple of weeks. This means fall/winter merchandise needs to be cleared out--now. Take advantage of this clearance mode, but spend your dollars wisely…and do so with a plan.

Remember now is the time to get great basics—at the end-of-season sales!

Ask yourself over and over, “Do I need this?” Remember this mantra—DO I NEED THIS?

Does this look good on me? Is this the right style for my body type? Knowing the styles best for your body type will save you time and money…not to mention, you’ll look like a million bucks!

Is this my color? Is this a color that fits into my wardrobe plan and complements my own skin and hair coloring? (refer to your seasonal color guide in your Personal Profile)

Buy for the body you are currently in. Don’t beat yourself up and reminisce when you wore 3 dresses smaller! This negative thinking won’t help you. You need to dress for today!

Remember the MSP rule: you must be able to wear it at least 3 different ways to make it useful in your wardrobe. If you buy something but have nothing to wear with it—it’s not a bargain.

Stock up now on basics. Look for camisoles, tanks, tees, lightweight v-neck cotton sweaters and favorite bras or undies and such. Look for pieces that extend your wardrobe.

Fewer things, better quality. No one will remember if a dark neutral jacket is repeated later in the week. A bright fuchsia jacket is harder to repeat in the same week. (have fewer of these stand-outs)

Try a trend—don’t invest in a trend. Long gypsy sleeves never stay in style very long and same goes with many of the trends. No need to invest designer dollars on a passing trend. Try a trendy item when the price is right or pass on it all together.

Shop everywhere. Bargains are to be found at end of year sales in every price range. Don’t discount (pun intended) more expensive stores! Every store and every rack is where you are shopping this season---because you have a list, and know what you are looking for!

For serious shopping—go it alone. When you concentrate on the styles, fit and colors that you like and the clothes on your list—less chances of getting sidetracked.

Got to love it! Don’t buy anything unless you love it! This is true for sale racks, outlet stores and full priced clothing.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

If you're like me, there's nothing more pampering than a good soak in the tub. However, in the winter months it can be so drying to my skin.

I found this fabulous DIY Holiday Body Butter recipe I'm drying to try out! I can get all these ingredients from my local EarthFare Market too!

This fabulous DIY Body Butter recipe is from Self Magazine:

What You Need:
1 cup coconut oil

1 cup cocoa butter

1 cinnamon stick

1 tbsp Vitamin E oil

1tsp vanilla essential oil

What To Do:

1. Warm the cocoa butter on medium heat in a pan until it becomes liquid.

2. Stir in the coconut oil for one minute, then turn off the heat and let the mixture cool for 20-30 minutes but don't let it set fully.

3. Once it cools, add the Vitamin E oil and vanilla essential oil. Using a whisk or a stick blender, whip the mixture until it becomes light and airy, like a mousse. Scoop it into an air-tight container, so it does't loose it's light texture. Break a piece of the cinnamon stick and place it in each container.

4. Slather it on right out of the shower for super soft, sweet smelling skin all day!

Friday, December 17, 2010

So often when women get excited about re-discovering their style...they want to pull out all the fashion stops! They pile on the jewelry, match their shoes to their handbag + add a bit more accessories just for good measure.

In reality when you take a moment and disect what a well styled woman is wearing--there's not all that much to her outfit. Yes, she's got divine style but more importantly she's using the style rule of simplicity.

The phrase "less is more" certainly applies when it comes to great style. Wearing clothes that fit you well, allowing the simple lines of the garment drape over your body, allowing "blank space" just to BE...then adding that ONE show stopper item (it could be a fancy jacket, a statement necklace, a hat, a scarf, animal print shoes, or a handbag like no other)...the key word here is: ONE. One item reins supreme.

Simplicity does not mean boring. In case you're starting to think this sounds a little plain and boring, I promise you it's not. It simply means NOT overadorned!

Overadorned is chaotic and cluttered. When you wear ruffles, belts, scarves, bangles, sequins all in one outfit...it begins look too fussy. Overdone is not great style.

Go easy or avoid all together embellishments like these:

Ruffles. Yes, right now they are trendy. But honestly too much foo-foo ruffles are juvenile and not very stylish after all. Would you wear them if they weren't considered stylish?

Ribbons, bows and border embroidery. Does it add to the style of the garment or is it just added to keep you from ignoring the poor construction of the garment? Does the border trim ADD an unflattering horizontal line in the middle of your body? Do you need all this jazz added to look good?

Appliques. Need I tell you they give a cheesy homemade look to everything?

How to have simple, elegant, classic style:

Jewelry. A great way to dress up a simple outfit. The simpler the outfit the more jewelry you can get away with. Check yourself in a full-length mirror, if it looks too showy take something off.

Balance accessories. If you are wearing large earrings, do without a necklace. If you are wearing a large necklace, keep your earrings on the small side. Lots of bracelets stacked on your arm? No need for a big necklace too.

Use your tools. Style tools, that is. No woman should be without a full-length mirror. No one sees you from only the waist up...therefore YOU should see the WHOLE picture (head to toe) before heading out the door!

Experiment. Play around and try on (in front of your full-length mirror) various combinations of accessories to see what looks most pleasing to you.

Your style should come across as EFFORTLESS! Yves Saint Laurent once said, "The woman should wear the clothes, not the clothes wear the woman."

Divine style = simplicity.
Give it a try...or rather try not so hard and your style will show through with simplicity!

Generally speaking, the flatter your shoe, the more narrow your pants should be. So, if you choose a wider-leg silhouette, you should have a heeled shoe with a more substantial heel or a wedge type shoe. The thicker heel balances nicely with a wider pant leg and gives you a balanced look.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

One of the most important aspects of dressing well (and what MissusSmartyPants is all about) is learning what styles will or will not flatter your body shape.

(photo: Anntaylorloft.com)

Another important part of dressing well is wearing clothes that FIT you correctly. Clothes that are too baggy, or too tight will only make you appear out of proportion and often larger than you really are! Learning basics about fit and proportion can really set your style above and apart from the masses.

However, sometimes it’s the little things that can make a big difference in your appearance. ..

Here are five quick style tips to help you dress your best:

1. Have the pockets of your pants sewn shut. They “poof” out and make you appear 5 pounds heavier and grab attention at your hips. I've done this to several of my pants and it makes a HUGE difference.

﻿

2. Check your posture. Stand up straight and suck in the tummy—you will automatically look slimmer. Make this a conscious effort each day…and see what happens when you are standing taller--not hunched over.

3. Always use a full length mirror. Check yourself out from head to toe...before stepping out the door. Better yet, look in a three-way mirror…people do see you from all angles.

4. Shop during the week. The stores are better stocked from the weekend and you will get the help you deserve. Less chance of impulse buys when you take your time.

(Me, shopping at the Nordstrom sale)

5. Shop alone. You will focus more on your needs. Take your MissusSmartyPants profile recommendations shopping with you. You won’t get side-tracked and can take the time to find clothes that are the most flattering and suit your wardrobe needs.

Love, Leslie...your fashion stylist & friend

BIO: Leslie Gonzales AKA MissusSmartyPants helps women by assessing their body
types and building personal profiles for each woman dress her best.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

I need help with accessories. Since you always seem to wear just the right accessories and just the right amount I know you can help. Are there rules that you follow when picking out your accessories to wear each day?

For example if I wear a bold necklace, should I not wear earrings? If I wear a chunky bracelet should I wear a ring on the same hand or on the other hand? What about mixing a pearl necklace and diamond stud earrings, yes or no? I just feel pearl earrings will look too matronly with the matching necklace, am I right about this?

By the way I love your website and your weekly style tips from your newsletter! My style has dramatically improved since joining your site. I’m also having fun playing dress up in my closet. Keep up the good work.

Thanks! Janella

Dearest Janella,

This certainly is a hard question to answer since the answer is somewhat subjective in nature. Stylists don’t even agree on what the right amount of accessories are that you should wear. In magazines, you’ll see everything from no jewelry being worn to over-accessorizing—and everything in-between. It’s hard for the average women to know what is truly stylish and tasteful.

Coco Chanel said: "Always remove one thing before going out the door". I often see a lot of women who over-accessorize with earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets all heaped on at one time. It often comes across as chaotic and distracting. Coco Chanel was right on this: less is more when it comes to accessories.

“Costume jewelry is not made to give women an aura of wealth,

but to make them beautiful.” Coco Chanel

A woman's accessories should describe her personality. If you aren't absolutely confident that you have your accessories right, then just wear one piece that you love and leave it at that. If you have style confidence, you can pretty much pull anything off!

So to answer your question... “What rules do I follow when picking out my accessories each day?”

Here goes:

1. I pick and choose my accessories by instinct and by my mood.

Since I don’t like to wear matched “sets” I choose my accessories based on the color I’m wearing and the occasion I’m dressed for. Sometimes I wear large silver hoops with a chunky necklace because the silver in the hoops bring out the silver pieces in the necklace, or because the look I'm going for is a bit more trendy or urban. I try to experiment and pick pieces that describe my mood or vibe for that day. In other words, try on different accessories and see what looks best.

2. I keep my look balanced.

I usually spread out my accessories to balance my look. If I wear a large necklace, my earrings are minimal. Or if I wear large earrings, I’ll wear no necklace. Or, if I'm wearing a statement belt, I don't wear a necklace so that the necklace doesn't compete with the belt. Again spread out your accessories—and use your full length mirror.

3. I look for style inspiration everywhere!

I read fashion magazines and peruse catalogs like J.Crew, Ann Taylor Loft, Chico's, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie to see what's hot and what I like. Plus a regular shopping trip never hurt :)

﻿

I interpret the season's styles by using what I have in my closet to make up my own version. Sometimes I only need a small item to complete the look!

4.I always say YES to a sale!

I stock up on accessories when I run across a good deal—and I’m always on the lookout for an accessory bargain.

Why pay a lot for accessories, when you can buy them on clearance for a $2 or less at thrift stores, garage sales, Claire's, Wal-Mart, or Target? The more you have the more options you’ll have for creating your own unique look. DON’T buy junk! Only buy what you like in your seasonal colors.

At the beginning of each season I buy several trendy accessories to update my mostly classic wardrobe. I have a few pieces of real jewelry, quality shoes, and handbags to fall back on...but I love stocking up on inexpensive items to keep my wardrobe fresh and stylish.

5. I keep my accessories organized.

You won't be inspired to wear any accessories unless you can SEE them! How you organize and display your jewelry is up to you. You may want to use hooks or accessory hangers to see all that you have.

When I open my closet I can see all my options. I can see my necklaces, scarves, bags, belts and choose what to wear with my outfit. I organize each item by COLOR because I find that most helpful to me.

...Now to answer your other accessory questions you've asked.Should you forgo earrings when you are wearing bold necklaces?

You don't have to, but you certainly don't want your earrings to distract from your statement necklace. Small stud earrings that coordinate with the larger necklace always look great. They don't need to match perfectly, but they must compliment.

My rule of thumb is if my hair is up, I always wear earrings. I usually do wear small studs if I am wearing a bold necklace. If my hair is down and I'm wearing a statement necklace, I might forego earrings. But that is just my preference. I've seen women pull off bold earrings with a bold necklace.

Should you wear both bracelets and rings on the same hand?

Definitely! I would wear several bracelets too. You are making a statement by going strong in one area. I just would forego a necklace, but balance the bulk out with large earrings. Again, this is just my opinion.

Should you wear a chunky pearl necklace with diamond studs?I worry pearl earrings would be too “matchy-matchy” and old fashioned look—am I right?

You are correct, matched jewelry sets are quite outdated looking. However, if I'm going for a more classic look and I’m wearing a bold pearl necklace (chunky or several strands), I usually wear small pearl studs. If you are worried about looking too matronly, just forego the earrings and let your hair cover your ears.